I always thought Italians were friendly

[KS Toronado]

I just returned to this Country after spending hours boating the waterways in Venice Italy among
their ancient buildings. Seen lots of great sights, police & fire boats, grocery boats, other sightseer
boats, unique buildings the list goes on.

But what really made me mad was every time I said hi or waved at an Italian they just ignored me
or looked dumbfounded, never once did any of them acknowledge my presence.

I'd like to go back but I'll use a different travel agency next time instead of Google Earth!

[snowybirdie]

1. You're lucky

Our gondola driver got into a territory fight with another one and thought we'd get dunked into the canal. Next time they overloaded our water taxi and it almost sank into the Adriatic!

[kimbutgar]

2. The 3 times I went from 2016-2018 the venetians were kind and expressed sympathy for us having the orange turd

As pos. Of course when they asked us where we were from we said California !

[rsdsharp]

3. I've never been to Italy, but I spent 2 1/2 weeks in China with an American Express tour group.

Everywhere we went there was an Italian tour group. The term ugly American is definitely well earned, and we had a couple in our group, but the Italians were unfailing pushy and rude.

And unwashed. In China. In August.

[Bread and Circuses]

4. Were you speaking Italian? There's a way that Europeans address or greet each other....that may be different .

For example. In Italy, there may be less interest in greeting tourists or unknown people as the country has many ex-pats, EU residents, etc. They have lots of non-natives in Italy and they will be cordial but not interested in getting to know you or chatting. Don’t take that to mean that they are less friendly. . If they see you more often in the streets, stores or piazzas they will be more likely to chat and smile. They are not prone to wave to strangers, it just isn’t a common thing. They like to build a relationship over time .
Waving to strangers across the piazza is not what most other cultures do. Of course, this is a generalization.
When traveling, I’ve found that it’s best to be in the background, blend-in and observe. Also, to know some phrases in the local language. And, people have helped me of I look bewildered or lost.

Enjoy your travels.

[GreenWave]

5. For the record, the lady that "introduced" me to things was Italian!

[usonian]

6. You saw the Italians who see tourists all day.

Go where tourists aren't. Google sends people where Google is paid to send people.



Say, is that cousin Roberto?

And in Napoli, they always make extra in case visitors show up.



Consult me next time, or send me ahead to scout.
I'm planning to make some tiramisu tonight.
Come on over!

[KS Toronado]

13. Ok, I'll come over. Can I get to your place using Goggle Earth?

[usonian]

14. Google won't do, but GPS will.

The Giant Pizza Search engine will.
🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕

[fierywoman]

7. I lived in Venice for seven years during the 80s. Did you say "Hi" or "Buon giorno"?

By September, Venetians can't stand tourists any more. I believe that now there are even more tourists there than when I lived there.

[KS Toronado]

8. Remember this is the HUMOR Forum

Did "Google Earth" fly over everyone's head?

[Collimator]

9. I noticed.

It took me a second or two, but I noticed.

[KS Toronado]

11. So you get the Oscar!

[Old Crank]

10. Google Earth is a cheap way to tour

Places. Unfortunately you can't sit and have an espresso beside a plaza.

[KS Toronado]

12. And you get an Oscar also

[usonian]

15. I took you a bit more literally "google" than the "google earth" tour bus.

I might have phrased it that way.

Google maps will send you directions, and I trust Google only to send me to sponsored locations.

I went on some virtual tours of highway signs with GE, but the process was a pain.

I just give directions instead of pix any more.

And as I noted, GP(🍕 S works.

I got one image and snapped it, of an auto with 6 wheels. It moved while it was being surveilled. Will post whenever I find it.

I use Google roughly zero.

[bif]

16. Funny!

I got it right away.